A ‘Good Frame of Mind’ is the AmericanFrame.com company blog where we write about all things art & framing. Here you will find a range of articles on frame design, framing tips and techniques, printing tutorials and answers to your ‘frequently asked’ customer service questions. We love to interact with our audience so we hope you’ll join our community by subscribing and commenting on the blog.

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Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Using a Canvas Float Frame

Canvas float frames add unique visual interest to your art. They’re named for the illusion they create - that your art is “floating” within the frame, rather than touching it.

The effect is at your fingertips.Select one of our many float frame styles and colors, and then enter our design workflow.

Include the dimensions of the “float” you’d like in your canvas size. If you order a frame for a 10 x 12 canvas with 1/8” float on each side, for example, include the dimensions of the desired float with your measurements and order a frame that’s 10 1/4 x 12 1/4.

This is easily accomplished by checking the box ‘add a float gap’ on the frame tab in the workflow:

Holes are pre-drilled into the frame to attach the canvas, so the maximum float is 1/4” for metal frames, 3/4” for American Hardwoods frames, and 1/2” for all other wood float frames.

You’re just a few steps away from finishing your look. For a wood frame, follow these steps:

1.Unpack and organize materials.

2.Place the frame on your work surface, face up.

3.Insert and center your canvas within the frame. If you ordered your frame with a float gap, it is helpful to center the work using cardboard or wood pieces as shims to keep the canvas aligned during the framing process.

4.Attach the artwork. Insert the provided screws into the stretched canvas via the pre-drilled holes on the frame.

5.Tighten it up. Make sure your art is square within the frame, readjust as needed, and tighten all screws firmly.

6.Add hangers, wire & bumpers. Position one hanger into the side of each frame as shown and ensure they are in line with each other. Tighten the screws. Loop wire between the hangers and twist at the ends to secure. Then, adhere wall protectors to the bottom corners of the frame where the frame touches the wall.

For a metal frame, follow these steps:

1. Select the frame bottom. Start by choosing the section of the frame that will serve as the “bottom” of your frame display. Place the frame face-down on your workspace. Then, position two angled plates (one with screws, one without) together into the hardware track at each end of the bottom section. Make sure the screw heads face outward. To fasten the plates, gently tighten the screws in the hardware track. Don’t fully tighten any screws until the frame is completed, as you won’t be able to adjust them if necessary.

2.Attach the sides. Choose one of the side sections and slide it onto one of the plates that you attached to the frame bottom. Align the mitered ends and tighten the screws just enough to hold the two frame sections together. Repeat this step with the other side section. The edges can be sharp, so you may want to wear gloves.

3.Add the top. Insert the corner plates into each end of the top of your frame as you did with the bottom. Complete the frame by attaching the top to the sides. Align the mitered ends and tighten all screws in the corner plates.

4.Insert your artwork.Lay the frame on a flat surface and insert your canvas. Now, it's time to attach your artwork to the frame and achieve the "float" effect. First, make sure the stretcher bars in your canvas are at least as thickas the screws we provided. If the bars are too thin, you'll need to purchase smaller screws. Insert the screws into the pre-drilled holes of the frame and into the wood of the stretched canvas. Again, don't tighten all the screws completely until you're finished.

5.Tighten
everything. Adjust your artwork if necessary, making sure
it’s centered in the frame. Tighten all the screws firmly for a secure fit.

6. Add finishing
touches. Now it’s time to prepare your float frame for
hanging. Position one hanger into the hardware track at each side of the frame.
Tighten the screws. Loop wire between the hangers, twisting it at the ends.
Adhere wall protectors to the bottom corners of the frame where the frame will
contact the wall.

Lastly, hang your float
frame, and then stand back to admire your work.

If you have questions
or need assistance along the way, contact us. We’re here to help.

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